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Primitive Events

The Hanson Rod and Gun Club is proud to present a series of black powder and other primitive events over the course of the year. In addition to our regular schedule of black powder shoots, these primitive events are a chance for both experienced enthusiasts and novices to enjoy the activities of a bygone era.

The major primitive annual event is the Biathlon.

The 2010 Biathlon has been cancelled

More information on future events as it becomes available.

HANSON LONGRIFLES PRIMITIVE BIATHLON Results 2009

In spite of below zero temperatures and heavy snow, the 5th Annual Hanson Longrifles Snowshoe Biathlon was fun for all.

The winners were:18-54 year old category -Gordon Cruz of Springfield, NH, Harland Blodgett – Underhill, VT; age 55+ - Harley Grice of Middlebury, VT, William White – N. Anson, ME; Smooth Bore – Dale Hubbard of Reading, MA, Harland Blodgett of Underhill, VT; Women – Loretta Cruz of S. Royalton, VT, Penny Curler of Middlebury, VT. The winners of the Dave Bouldry Walk, in a very close contest, were John Monti of Randolph, MA and Gordon Cruz of Springfield, NH. Our raffle prize winners were Mike Thiboutot of N. Dartmouth, MA – Thompson Renegade with 2 barrels, Diane Zuck of Brockton and John Murphy of Hanson – throwing hawks, Dave Bouldry of Whitman – black powder bore cleaner. A delicious supper of ribs and pulled pork after the event was worth braving the cold!

Click here for a photo gallery of the 2009 event!

Biathlon Scores

Dave Bouldry Walk Scores

Information
Rules & Regulations
Misfire Policy

Primitive Biathlon 2008 Results

HANSON LONGRIFLES PRIMITIVE BIATHLON Results 2008

Dave Bouldry Walk Results 2008

2008 Biathlon Photos

Photos by Dick Hill

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Information

The Third Annual Hanson Primitive Biathlon was held on Saturday & Sunday, January 20 & 21, 2007, on the grounds of the the Hanson Rod and Gun Club Davis Rd Hanson, Massachusetts. Start times were between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Food, drink, warmth and good conversation were had the entire day.

Primitive biathlons reflect much of the skills that our early hunters needed to survive. It is out of these traditional hunting methods that our modern biathlons, with the high-tech skis and super-precise rifles, evolved. Primitive biathletes wear traditional wooden frame snowshoes and fire muzzleloaders at targets. Eligibility for overall prizes and trophies is limited to single-barrel traditional style muzzleloaders - no in-lines or optical sights - and traditional wood-framed snowshoes but, modern equipment users and ones without snowshoes are welcome to participate. In the primitive spirit of the event, and in the interest of fairness, the use of round-ball ammunition is required. Period dress is encouraged, though not required.

The wooded course is approximately 1 mile and can be enjoyed by the average sportsman. The route will be well-marked and will include five target stations with a total of ten shots. The biathletes get two chances at the target. A mis-fire is a miss, times will be adjusted based on shooting scores putting an emphasis on accuracy. This event will be held regardless of the weather - remember the concept of "Primitive". In the event of insufficient snow for snowshoes, bring a good pair of boots, we’ll run the course anyway, but you’ll be carrying your snowshoes. Also The Primitive Biathlon is a spectator sport, so if interested you can come,watch and cheer your favorite Biathlete

Trophies will be awarded for the Top Three Overall, as well as First Smoothbore(No Rear Sight), First Woman(Any Age), First Junior(Under Eighteen) and First 'Elder'(55 and Over). A good number of merchandise prizes will be awarded by blind draw of the participants.

Traders of appropriate goods are welcome with the approval of the organizer. Fee will be a merchandise prize for the blanket.

HANSON LONGRIFLES PRIMITIVE BIATHLON Results 2006

Cabin Fever doesn't have to be a problem anymore, especially on the South Shore. Participants from all over New England, New York, and even Minnesota, came to compete in the 2nd Annual Hanson Longrifles Primitive Biathlon on January 21 and 22, 2006 at the Hanson Rod and Gun Club. The lack of snow didn't stop 50 competitors from walking the 1 ½ mile, wooded course while carrying their snowshoes and a traditional muzzleloader. Following Saturday's events, a Pig Roast Supper was enjoyed by all.

The Biathlon was a roundball only, snowshoe event in which a traditional muzzleloader was used to shoot 2 targets at each of 5 stations, while "on the clock". Finish times were adjusted by 5 minutes for every shot that was hit. Prizes were given in each of the categories: Men's 18-54, Elders 55+, Juniors under 18, Women, and Smoothbore. While most of this year's events were won by Vermonters (see the results chart farther down the page), Jonathan Soroko of Abington, MA took first place in the Juniors under 18 Division and Ernie Watson of Brockton, MA took second place in the Elders 55+ Division.

Each contestant was given a raffle ticket to win the Thompson Center Renegade Rifle which was donated to the Biathlon. Heather Grice of Beverly, MA was the lucky winner.

Biathlon rules call for roundball projectile and wood framed snowshoes (any snowshoes are allowed, but only wood can win). Although all contestants are urged to come in primitive attire, it is not mandatory. In the event of no snow (like this year), bring comfortable boots and plan to carry your snowshoes.

Wendy and Randy Butler, Heather Grice and Harley Grice (L to R)

Club President Paul Williams congratulates Jonathan Soroko of Abington

Ernie Watson of Brockton

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HANSON LONGRIFLES PRIMITIVE BIATHLON Results 2005

18-54 division finishers were:

Harland Blodgett of Underhill, VT 1st place
Paul Dillon of Randolph 2nd,
Jack Lynch of Monponsett 3rd.

55+ division

John Monti of Randolph 1st place
Charles Clark of Tiverton, RI 2nd
Ernie Watson of Brockton 3rd.

Women's division

Maureen Peloquin of Fall River.

Smoothbore division

Paul Williams of Abington.

The top raffle prize of a flintlock rifle was won by Barbara Dunn of Hanson.

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Scenes Of Past Biathlons

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Rules

PRIMITIVE EVENT RULES & REGULATIONS

Safe & Responsible firearm handling is required!!!

Muzzleloading Firearms only

Overall prize eligibility is limited to entrants who observe the following restrictions:

• Singled-barrel traditional style muzzleloaders (excludes in-line firing mechanisms).
• No optical sights
• Traditional wood-framed snowshoes

If you do not comply with the above restrictions you may still run the course for fun, but you can not win the event.

• Participants must follow marked trail

Along the wooded route will be five target shooting areas.  At each target stage, participants will load and fire two shots at designated targets.  All ten shots will be “on the clock”.  All shooting will be from a standing position, unaided by “shooting sticks” or other external aids.  The targets will be steel ‘gong-type” targets – either a hit or a miss. A MISFIRE WILL BE CONSIDERED A MISS.

This event will be held regardless of the weather.  In the event that there is insufficient snow for snowshoes, please bring good walking boots.

All times will be adjusted based on shooting scores.

In the spirit of the event, and in the interest of fairness, the use of ROUND BALL ammunition is required.

FIREARM SAFETY practices are required at all times.  The COURSE MUST BE TRAVELLED WITH FIREARM UNLOADED!!!

Please obey the officials at all times.

In the event of a question regarding, rules, regulations or results, the decisions of the organizers is final.

By taking part in this event you agree that you comply with all rules and hold harmless Hanson Rod and Gun Club and all involved with this event.

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Misfire Policy

A MISFIRE is considered a MISS!

In the event of a misfire, you may either:

1. Clean nipple/touchhole, reprime, and re-fire at target. In the event of another misfire, it will be considered another miss.
2. Step off the firing line and to the side. Clean nipple/touchhole, reprime, and re-fire in a safe direction into the woods. If the firearm fires, this does not count as a shot. If the firearm misfires, this does not count as a miss. In the event of another misfire, please wait sixty seconds before removing ball and clearing bore. Return to firing line when ready to resume shooting.

Please note that whichever choice you make, the clock continues to run

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